Cary's Cancer Fund:Flight to fight
My husband and I have started a complicated journey that will require your help if you wish to contribute to the fight for my husband's life. Here is Cary Baumgartner's story:
Cary was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma on June 22, 2016, an aggressive cancer that has now spread in both lungs and his liver. He is a Captain with Dragonair in Hong Kong, and is only 53 years old. Cary has flown as a pilot for many, many years around the world and loves his career and the mates he has made over the years. Due to his cancer diagnosis, his medical certificate enabling him to fly has now been taken away until he is deemed fit to fly and free of cancer. Cary started a fairly new treatment of immunotherapy here in Hong Kong on July 13th, 2016, and we are hoping that he will respond well over the course of his treatment which will take place twice a month for many months, possibly years. Without treatment he will have months to live.
It's my wish that we weren't in this situation, period. I have had many people ask how they can help us through this difficult time in our lives and although I would prefer to not ask for help, we must so that my husband has every chance available to him to beat this cancer.
We have come to a conclusion that immunotherapy is currently our only option that will benefit Cary at this time. The cost is extremely expensive and our insurance ceiling will quickly be reached in the coming months. We are requesting financial help now so that Cary can continue his potentially life saving treatments after his medical insurance and salary runs out.
Prayers and positive thoughts only can go so far. Unfortunately the medical treatment Cary needs is far out of our financial control and so much bigger than us, roughly to the tune of $4 million Hong Kong dollars, or $500,000 USD. And this is just the beginning.
If you would like to be a part of our journey we have set up this gofundme account. We will keep you posted on Cary's progress and treatment as we tackle each day, each week with grace and gratitude. Please keep saying prayers and keep us in your thoughts.
We thank you for your kindness and support.
With all my heart, Kate
Today Cary received his 37th immunotherapy treatment. The updates have been less frequent and I apologize, but as many of you know I’ve had a lot on my plate. I now tend to only make time to share when there is truly something new to say or celebrate.
Nineteen months ago we started on this journey of immunotherapy treatments in Hong Kong, to give Cary a better chance at life, a prolonged chance of survival we were told if he was a complete responder. Alternatively we were told he would only have 6-9 months to live if we chose to do nothing. Here we are today in Dallas, Texas. Our life together continues with visits to the cancer facility every three weeks, scans for his whole body as well as a brain mri every three months, and followup visits to specialists for symptoms that have arisen from various side effects.
Many people don’t survive this awful type of cancer. Their bodies can’t tolerate the immense side effects from the drugs or sadly the cancer just doesn’t respond to the new drugs, in this case immunotherapy. Cary continues the fight, his fight. Last Monday he was scheduled for his CT scan, a scan that must be done every three months to keep watch on this nasty cancer they call Malignant melanoma. A cancer that cannot be cured. It’s sneaky, always lurking and waiting for the opportunity to strike out in one’s body and wreak havoc.
Cary’s oncologist, and also a melanoma specialist, said this morning that the results were in and the recent scans were completely clear. You could visibly see the relief and a sense of calm come over Cary. Three more months of being clear, no evidence of the disease. We experience this anxiety every three months. Not knowing if this is the day the cancer returns. People tell us to celebrate and we do, but not in a way that celebrations are defined. We are just thankful to be given this life and this extra time.
Cary continues to have side effects that he has learned to deal with, many of which can be mitigated with daily medicine, others like the severe pain are minimized but not removed with over the counter pharmaceuticals. He doesn’t want a stronger pain killer that would wipe him out so he sticks with over the counter and has continued pain. He remains strong. He has told me that his good days now are what his bad days used to be before cancer. This breaks my heart. He is not the same. Cancer has changed him. Cancer has changed us. I’m sure many of you agree that have also been affected by cancer that it changes you. All people fighting cancer, as well as those around them are changed physically and/or psychologically. The cancer doesn’t decide how we will be affected. We do. We make the decisions that will change the course of our life.
We had a lovely conversation today with the oncologist about where Cary is headed if he continues to respond to the cancer treatment and show no evidence of disease. His doctor mentioned that there is no evidence that suggests that stopping the treatment would result in cancer progression in complete responders like Cary. On the other hand staying on the treatment for a prolonged amount of time may result in adverse side effects becoming severe. The drugs are relatively new in the medical field and there is still no long term data, as well as very few long term survivors. We are hoping that Cary could possibly stop treatments if he continues to show no evidence of disease possibly as early as July of 2018. This would be the two year mark since being diagnosed with stage iv cancer. Stopping the treatment may help him to have a lessened amount of pain on a day to day basis. Again, it’s one day at a time.
Cary is thriving at work and loves his job. His clients admire his years of aviation experience and are truly appreciative. I think it is incredibly amazing how far he has come and the amount he has accomplished in the last twenty months since being diagnosed with stage iv terminal cancer. Life can go on if you continue to fight each and every day, and he is showing us how gracefully.
Thank you again for all of your letters, phone calls, love and support. Thank you for riding this rollercoaster ride of life with us.
Love Kate & Cary
Hi Cary n Kate glad to hear all things are well. things are different...yes! keep the faith to believe and it works.
Keep up the fight, perseverance is sure to lead to good results. Lots of love, Alex
Happy belated birthday to Capatin Cary! A bit sad to know that Kate and you will leaving soon to US.. Anyway is good to hear that your sickness getting better and better. Keep fighting and be stong! We will miss you!
Happy belated Cary! Sorry to hear about the forced retirement, it's truly corporate style...... But I'm glad to hear the good news of your report & see your smiling face out in the nature. Keep fighting and hope to you again somewhere, sometime...... God bless you and your family
Happy Birthday Cary! What a wonderful gift to receive a report like this. Thank-you Kate for sharing this report of Cary's healing. You have just dealt with a huge challenge so in regards to the money, I say again “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 - the money will come. For now, rejoice in the good news and keep faith. I love your idea of supporting families dealing with cancer challenges. Please keep us updated on your mission and your own individual progress. You are right, we don't know what people are dealing with...we're all very well trained at hiding things. The truth is everyone has problems. Jesus even said it “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33. He did not say you might have problems! Most people are spiritually thirsty and don't even know it...That is why Jesus said "I thirst" just before He said "It is finished" and died. To show he was also man and to fulfil the final prophecy of the old testament. Your mission will provide 'water' to the suffering. God Bless you both.
Praise the Lord Our church has been praying unceasingly for you both as we are for another CathayDragon pilot just beginning his own journey through the cancer maze now. We have also been praying for a Hong Kong FedEx pilot and his family and just received a good report that results show no more sign of his lymphoma. Praise the Lord My wife was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in one of her kidneys just over 2 years ago. She underwent a successful operation and has had to go through the MRI/X-ray/Ultrasound every 3 months since and all good reports. Thank-you Jesus I, too, had a few years follow up after my own Melanoma. We learn to appreciate life after these types of experiences. But, more than that, there is a purpose to life and I believe these challenges are designed to wake us up and focus on that purpose, not our Purpose but His Purpose. I invite you to read the most sold hardback book in His-story - Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren - and hope you find the transformation I did to see life through eternal eyes and not temporal ones and so receive God's promise of peace beyond human understanding. God's peace which is whole and complete, not the same as the peace offered by the world. The Courage to Keep Going, Part 1, Uncommon Courage https://itunes.apple.com/hk/podcast/pastor-ricks-daily-hope/id631094342?mt=2&i=1000383778254 May God continue to wrap his covering of protection over Cary. Thank-you Jesus for your provision, promises and protection over Cary. Amen
Dearest Cary and Kate, I am saddened to hear that Cary was forced to retire from doing something he loved so much but am thrilled to hear that the he has been responding so well to the treatments. You are both amazing people. Stay strong and continue to lean on each other and with the grace of God, you will get through this. Much love to you both. ❤️
Hi Captain Cary and Kate, God will always with you and your family. Keep fighting and I do believe that you will recover soon.. Cheers, Fanny
Hi Cary & Kate How are you both going? We're looking for a good report in Cary's healing. We're all still praying for you unceasingly. God Bless you both
Looking good ! Best wishes, Patrick
New Year, New Hope. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV http://bible.com/111/php.4.6.niv You are in our prayers Cary & Kate Keep Going!
You are looking great Cary, well done both of your for your inspiring resilience.
Well that is just the kind of Christmas cheer I was looking for. Great news Kate. Keep going Cary.
Well done both of you...what great news! No better Xmas gift.
So glad you two have each other for this fight.
He's undoubtedly the most attractive chemo patient I've ever seen! Woohoo you two. Love you Kate.
Beautifully said, dear Kate.
Oh my god Kate, how I understand you and I am here for you. As you are for me. Thank you. My caregiving with Bruce was tough but it brought us to such an amazing closeness that I didn't think was possible. In sickness and in health....love you both, jan
Prayers for you my friends.....The power of prayer...Love you so much..
Kate & Cary, Always in my thoughts and prayers. May soon you receive NED notification. Much luv to both of you.